Business / In Brief • July 18, 2012

* Hawaii

July 18, 2012

Verizon Wireless is expanding its 4G Long Term Evolution network in the state, with the expansion to include Haiku and Paia on Maui, Hoolehua Airport on Molokai and Lanai City and Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay.

The expanded network will allow more customers to use wireless devices to surf the Web, stream music and video and use other applications at speeds up to 10 times faster than before, according to an announcement Monday from Verizon.

Last July, the 4G service was launched on Maui in Kaanapali, Kahului, Kihei, Lahaina, Napili, Wailea and Wailuku.

No dates have been provided for the expanded service, which also will affect parts of the Big Island and Oahu.

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Produce irradiator being built

HONOLULU - A commercial irradiator to treat produce for Mainland export will be built in west Oahu, instead of near the Honolulu airport as previously proposed.

Construction of the facility in Kunia is underway and it's expected to open in September.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the Paina Hawaii LLC facility on former Dole plantation land will be available to farmers to sterilize or kill fruit flies and other insects so that crops can be shipped to the Mainland.

Environmental law firm Earthjustice had challenged the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's exemption for industrial irradiators from environmental review. The commission then agreed to a review.

Earthjustice attorney David Henkin says the review led to changing the site, which Paina President Michael Kohn denies.